hammerface

Member
May 9, 2003
14
0
Hey guys and gals, does anyone have a suggestion for what I should buy for a new rear tire for my CR500? I'm looking at a M12 or an S12 which are on sale right now. Or a Michelin Starcross ($60 CAN) or a Kenda 772 carlsbad ($51).
Anybody have an preferences? As soon as I get a new tire and it hooks up I'll probably land on my back but I still need a better meat. ANy suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Al
 

bbbom

~SPONSOR~
Aug 13, 1999
2,092
0
IRC M5B 140/80-18 on all our CR500's. I have a brand new one (birthday gift) just waiting for the weather to turn.

It's rated as a soft/muddy. We get a good season out of one around here with a combo of hardpack, mud, rocks, roots and the occasional gravel road. A little control to keep from torqueing it on the rocks helps.

Retail is around $60 - $70 (US) and the traction is to DIE for!!! ;)
 
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keith500r

Member
Jul 27, 2001
257
0
Ive had good luck with K695 for the rear. stick with the stock size, or slightly wider. when I got my first cr5 it had a 140 rear tire, it was so huge it made the bike handle like crap. My rear tire is still pretty much new but I dont have problems getting traction with 110 size rear.
 

kelsorat

Knucklehead Newbie
Nov 5, 2001
916
0
Stay away from the Dunlop 739's, my KTM540DXC wears them out quick. I just put a new m12 on the rear for an enduro this weekend. Will report wear.
 

keith500r

Member
Jul 27, 2001
257
0
it just felt like too much tire, too much rotating mass or something. I may be wrong, it could have just been my imagination or the tire had a bad spot or something. The tire was pretty old. I mainly noticed when I was going fast on a dirt road you could hear excessive amounts of tire noise and it seemed to require more braking effort. I am satisfied with the stock size though, at first i was afraid it wouldnt hook up.
 

KiwiBird

LIFETIME SPONSOR
Jan 30, 2000
2,385
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IRC 140/80-18 M5B or Michelin 140/80-18 S12 would be my choices.
 

bbbom

~SPONSOR~
Aug 13, 1999
2,092
0
Thanks for the info Keith, I've always run a 140 on mine so I wouldn't know if the narrower sizes make a difference. I think Karl's AF came with a 130 but that bike handles different from my 94 anyways so it's still tough to compare.

I do know that I prefer a new 140 to a worn 140 though, especially in mud.

Kiwi, did you sell the AF yet?
 
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WhKnuckle

Member
May 14, 2003
126
0
I think the IRC is the tire of choice for 500s, but if you can't find one (highly possible), try a Pirelli MT83 - I just put one on my 500AF (120/90X19), and it's really good. Seems to wear very well, and I know a guy who has one on his CRF450R that claims it wears like iron. Easy to find and mine was about $62.
 

KiwiBird

LIFETIME SPONSOR
Jan 30, 2000
2,385
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Nope, haven't been trying to sell the AF at all. Might keep it or sell it, I don't know :confused:
 

hammerface

Member
May 9, 2003
14
0
Alberta Cycle in Edmonton Has the Michelin Starcross on for $87-$97. They also have some Kenda Unadilla and Carlsbad on for like $50-$55!!
 

mojoscojo

Member
Sep 1, 2003
12
0
I mostly ride the woods and I haven't been able to tell a difference except for the more money I spent, the faster it ate it. I spend the money on a good front tire (I like Metzelers and the stock Dunlop) and find the cheapest rear tire with the biggest, fattest square knobs. The bike literally rips the small knobs off in some of the rocks I ride here in western Washington. The Michelin M5B is a good candidate as is the standard Cheng Shin. Course I've never been very picky.
 

mojoscojo

Member
Sep 1, 2003
12
0
P.S. I tried the M12 and absolutely HATED it. It changed characteristics really bad when you changed terrain. That happens about every 100 yards where I ride. Mud - > Roots -> Rocks -> Sand -> Roots -> etc. etc. I could never get comfortable with what the bike was going to do from one moment to the next.
 

john stu

LIFETIME SPONSOR
Jan 7, 2002
790
0
the irc m5b wears very well (a would say its the longest lasting tire i have tryed)but when it does get worn i noticed bigger loss a traction compared to other tires but if you change it before its really worn (like you should any way)its a great tire .
 

mojoscojo

Member
Sep 1, 2003
12
0
Hmm.....
Broken brush guard and clutch perch.....
Loud "CRACK" noise.....
Bike not shiny side up.....

See items 1a and b and 1a, b and c.

I think it qualifies. :P
I'd count it if it was me.
I'd probably even be bragging about it.
"Dude! You should have SEEN this hill......" ;)


Main Entry: 1crash
Pronunciation: 'krash
Function: verb
Etymology: Middle English crasschen
Date: 15th century

transitive senses
1 a : to break violently and noisily : SMASH b : to damage (an airplane) in landing
2 a : to cause to make a loud noise <crash the cymbals together> b : to force (as one's way) through with loud crashing noises
3 : to enter or attend without invitation or without paying <crash the party>

intransitive senses
1 a : to break or go to pieces with or as if with violence and noise b : to fall, land, or hit with destructive force c : to decline suddenly and steeply d of a computer system or program : to suffer a sudden major failure usually with attendant loss of data
2 : to make a smashing noise <thunder crashing overhead>
3 : to move or force one's way with or as if with a crash <crashes into the room>
4 slang : to experience the aftereffects (as dysphoria or depression) of drug intoxication
5 slang : to go to bed or fall asleep; also : to reside temporarily : STAY <crashing with friends for a few days>
 

hammerface

Member
May 9, 2003
14
0
Thanks for all the replies everyone. Now I'm totally confused :)
I'll probably go with the S12 - it's on for $86 CAN. Or I might just by 2 Kendas for $50 a piece....
 

kelsorat

Knucklehead Newbie
Nov 5, 2001
916
0
I just rode an enduro over the weekend here in Southern California. The terrain was a mix of rocks,sand,decomposed granite. The M12 performed fine and the tire held up better than my past Dunlop 739's
 
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